Spirituality is a broad spectrum. Some people consider spirituality the forefront of their religion, whether Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc. Others don’t necessarily identify with an organized religion, but are spiritual in the sense that they believe in a higher power or maybe practice mediation and yoga. Through practices like meditation, people are able to connect with their higher being as well as feel more in tune with nature. In reality: spirituality, meditation and nature are all interconnected.

By using meditation and your personal spirituality, you can better connect with nature. However, you must first realize that your body and your being is nature itself. One example of nature working inside the human body is circadian rhythm, or the sleep/wake cycle. This is the natural occurrence that tells the body when to go to sleep as well as when to wake up. When things like circadian rhythm are disrupted, the body experiences a sort of disconnect. In turn, many people are disconnected from their true selves and therefore from nature. By meditating and rediscovering yourself, you can bridge the gap between you and nature once more.

Meditation can take many forms. It’s important to find a technique that works best for you, your body and your mind. For example, Transcendental Meditation is a technique used to reach a state of enlightenment. By sitting in the traditional Lotus position and chanting a mantra, you aim to rise above negative thoughts, emotions and energy. Heart Rhythm Meditation, another popular technique, is used to improve emotional, physical and spiritual health. It helps to increase your level of consciousness while focusing on your heartbeat and breathing. Guided Visualization is another technique used for spiritual healing. By visualizing positive experiences and total body relaxation, your body will release chemicals and hormones that promote positive feelings and energy. Mindfulness is a common technique used to realign the body, mind and soul. By sitting in the Lotus position and focusing on your breathing, you can reduce stress and anxiety in everyday life. It’s important in whatever technique you choose that when wandering thoughts occur, you bring yourself back to the practice and back to your focus. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, using meditation will help you regain your connection with your natural self.

In order to experience the connection between your spirituality and nature, outside of meditation, you must recenter your entire being. Acknowledge that nature is at play inside your body. It’s in your bones and it’s in your blood. The oxygen you breath is produced by plants, allowing us to live. The carbon dioxide we breath out in turn feeds those plants, allowing them to live by our side. Immerse yourself in nature to achieve the balance once more. In addition to simply being in nature and taking in the clouds, sky and sunlight, walking barefoot allows the body to absorb vitamins and minerals from the earth. For example, walking on the beach will allow your body to absorb the negative ions found in both the sand and the ocean. The negative ions are due to the salt content, and can have a profound healing impact on the body. Study the elements, crystals and minerals and the healing effect they have on your body. Listen to the sounds nature provides: the birds singing, the trees swaying in the wind. All of these practices will help you get back to nature. Most of all, listen to your body.

In short: spirituality, nature and meditation are intertwined through the human body and mind. Humans are part of nature, so it never truly leaves us. But we can become disconnected through bodily malpractice and modern distractions. Use the practice of meditation to further your spiritual journey, whatever your current spiritual status may be. Your spirituality and nature are connected, whether you realize it or not. By utilizing meditation, you can reconnect your body and mind to Mother Earth and become one with nature once more.